DNV: New EU marine equipment rules to enter into force on 31 August
DNV has informed operators of updated EU requirements and testing standards for marine equipment, which will take effect on 31 August 2026 under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1434.
The regulation, adopted on 30 June 2026, amends the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) 2014/90/EU. It does not introduce any new categories of MED equipment, but updates the technical, type-approval and performance requirements and testing standards for a range of existing equipment.
Key things to keep in mind
According to DNV, operators mainly need to know the following:
- No new MED equipment was introduced, but the 10th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1434 updates requirements and test standards for a wide range of existing equipment.
- Transition period: Marine equipment already compliant with national type-approval requirements before 23 September 2025 may continue to be placed on the market and installed on EU ships until 23 September 2028.
- Manufacturers must ensure products comply with the updated regulation from 31 August 2026. Any Declarations of Conformity (DoC) issued after this date must reference the 10th Implementing Regulation, and some products may require new or additional testing before DNV can issue updated MED certificates.
Marine equipment listed as a new item within the former 9th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1533, and which is in compliance with the national requirements for type approval in force before 23 September 2025 in a member state, may continue to be placed on the market and on board an EU ship until 23 September 2028.
The 10th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1434 contains no new MED items. For the equipment listed below, new or updated type approval / carriage / performance requirements, as well as updated testing standards, are indicated by “(NEW ROW)”.
New or updated standards
In addition, DNV informs of the following new or updated standards:
- MED/1.43 Rigid-inflated rescue boats
- MED/3.12a Devices to prevent the passage of flame into the cargo tanks in tankers: P/V valves
- MED/3.12b Devices to prevent the passage of flame into the cargo tanks in tankers: flame arresters
- MED/3.12c Devices to prevent the passage of flame into the cargo tanks in tankers: detonation flame arresters
- MED/3.12d Devices to prevent the passage of flame into the cargo tanks in tankers: high velocity vent valves
- MED/3.30b Portable oxygen analysis and/or gas detection equipment: category 2 (explosive gas atmospheres)
- MED/3.48 Fixed water based local application fire-fighting systems components for use in category A machinery spaces
- MED/4.21 Propeller revolution indicator
- MED/4.33 Track control system
- MED/4.65 Gyro compass
- MED/5.1 VHF radio capable of transmitting and receiving DSC and radiotelephony
- MED/5.2 VHF DSC watch-keeping receiver
- MED/5.3 NAVTEX receiver
- MED/5.4 EGC receiver
- MED/5.5 HF marine safety information (MSI) equipment (HF NBDP receiver)
- MED/5.6 406 MHz EPIRB (COSPAS-SARSAT)
- MED/5.10 MF radio capable of transmitting and receiving DSC and radiotelephony
- MED/5.11 MF DSC watch-keeping receiver
- MED/5.13 Inmarsat-C SES
- MED/5.14 MF/HF radio capable of transmitting and receiving DSC, NBDP and radiotelephony
- MED/5.15 MF/HF DSC scanning watch keeping receiver
- MED/5.16 Aeronautical two-way VHF radio telephone
apparatus - MED/5.18 Fixed survival craft two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus
- MED/5.21 Integrated communication system (ICS)
- MED/5.22 Ship Earth station for use in the GMDSS Inmarsat C equipment: Inmarsat Fleet Broad Band (FBB) equipment and Iridium equipment
Certification and Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
Manufacturers need to have valid MED certification (Modules B+D, B+E, B+F or Module G certificates) to be allowed to place their products on the European market. The conformity of the products is confirmed by the manufacturer at the end of the production phase by affixing the wheel mark on the product and
issuing a DoC.
The DoC issued by the manufacturer for products produced after 31 August 2026 shall follow the 10th Implementing Regulation.
Manufacturers are requested to compare the conformity of their products with the design, construction and performance requirements as well as with the testing standards of the currently valid Implementing Regulation. For products where changed requirements and testing standards are introduced, new or additional tests may be required, DNV concludes.
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